The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-08-06
IFor the Asheville CITIZEN.
OPEN LETTER TO CAPT. MATT
ATKINSON.
AgnEv11LE, N. G, Aug, 4, 18s7.

AsHEyILLE, N. C, Augs4, 1887.
Can't. Matt Atkinson -
Dear Sir 1T is my pleasure 10 express
through you tine farmers friend) to the
fariuers of Buncombe county my gratifca-
tion and high appreciation oft''e surpris-
ing and unlocked for exhibit of small
grain and grasses displayed at the Far
mer's Warehouse in this city to-day. 1
had for some weeks noticed in the papers
your offering of premiums, therefore was
anticipating the exhibit and was anxious
(as a new conner to Asheville) 10 see
what Buncombe and sister counties could
do in that particular line of products.
My anticipations were more than realiz-
ed. I was agreeably surprised to see the
variety and quality of small grain and
grasses, creditable for any section of
country.
/ have attended Fairs in almost every
State from Maine to Mexico, and have
visited many small grain and grass pro-
ducing sections of the United States, but
have never before seen so fine display.
There can be no further questioning as
TO whether the mountain counties of
escsFttl GzTCiE L , sssIiitSe 10 tile 5t1.t
ton of small grain and grasses. The
question is to day settled to the satisfac-
ton of every spectator, and it is question
able if any section of country can surpass
it. Effort in the right direction is all
that is necessary to deVelope Buncombe
and surrounding counties into one of the
finest grass producing regions in the
world, Old Ireland not excepted. am
reliably informed that Clover, Timothy,
Orchard grass and Red Top can be grown
successfully and prOfitably from the
creeks and branch banks to the base and
up the hill and mountain sides and to
the top of the highest mountain peaks in
Buncombe county: the soil being good
clay and produces well. and the climate
is favorable and peculiarly adapted to
the culture and growth of grasses. 1t Is
only question of time when this is to
be Que of the finest grazing and beef pro-
ducing regions of the Middle StaLes.
Farmers should take courage from the
exhibit of to-day, and determine to shape
for the future that order of things that
will guarantee to them comfort, profit
and pleasure. A revolution in farming
in the mountain section is re Iuisite, and
for the good of all, must be effected.
The ball is in m Ion, keep it moving
with increased velocity until the great
good desired is attained, then there will
90 up from the hearts and lips of thous-
ands of farmers blessed, one united
hurrah with expressions of thanks to the
patriotic phi ilanthropist and liberal mind
ed mover in the good work, Matt Atkin-
son, who is ever willing and always fore
most in the noble work ofdeveloping the
resources of old Buncombe and surround
ing counties.
Let us look forward for Il teu-fold dis
play next season, and let us promise the
good farm ars more than ten fold the
amount in premiums, that they may be
stimulated to experiment and develop
rapidly to the world that the mountain
section of North Carolina is suited to the
cultivation of grasses for profit, and that
old Buncombe is the best place in the
world to come to for well doing, pleasant
climate, good health, long life, pleasure
and happiness, and let it be understood
that Asheyille is the centre.